To build a metal kit aircraft you will more than
likely need some new tools, some of which you may have never heard
of or know how to operate. Vans specify's a required tool kit and
some suppliers sell Van's tool kits. I purchased my 'tool kit' from
Aircraft Tool Supply in America. I found it a lot cheaper to source
the kit from the US. Especially with the exchange rate at the time
- $1.89 to £. Expect to have to spend around £1,000 on
tools and more if you need additional specialist tools as I will describe
here.

IMPORTANT - Remember the kit is imperial, you need imperial equipment
to ensure 100% accuracy.

Here are three different flush rivet sets and a back rivet (white) set. The
back rivet set is mostly used during the construction of the empannage.

Rivet Gun

The gun takes a .401" shank rivet sets. They are available in different
power, the common type for a quick build kit is 2x or 3x. If you are
not building a QB and need to buck the spar rivets you may want a more
powerfull rivet gun. Approx price $160.00
Your compressor needs to be 2.6 CFM (for 2x), 2.9 CFM (3x) or 3.1 CFM (4x).

Counter Sink Cage

Use this to cut 100 degree countersinks. For thin sheet use dimple dies.
Different cutters for different size holes. #40, #30, #27, #19.

Angle Drill

This attaches to your drill and helps with tight spots.

Parker Pipe Flairing Tool (also called Rolo)

Use this tool to flair the brake and fuel lines. IMPORTANT - this
tool makes 37 degree flairs. Conventional UK brake flairing tools are
NOT suitable.

Price from some suppliers in UK around £75 +vat & carrage. From USA around $78.00 +vat & carrage.

Pipe Bender

Use this for fuel and brake lines. You can struggle bending by hand, but these
are quite cheap.